Prologue
1850 Words
Prologue
JOHN
TEN MONTHS AGO
“You smell like s**t,” Jackson, my i***t twin brother, says the second I walk through the side door of the bed and breakfast I manage.
“Thanks for noticing.” I grunt. Reaching behind my neck, I pull off my T-shirt that’s filled with sweat and dirt and use it to wipe off my forehead and neck. “Maybe if you were on time for once, I wouldn’t have had to do your job.”
“I would’ve done it,” he insists, but I know better. The horses need to be fed on a schedule, especially when they’re giving trail rides in the afternoons. Jackson decided to sleep in after partying all night, which happens to be a regular occurrence. Running my family’s B&B doesn’t give me that luxury, because guests know when they’re being fed late. If I stay out all night, I still have to get my a*s up the next morning for work.
“Well, there wasn’t any time to wait since we have to go to San Angelo for our tux fitting in an hour and a half,” I remind him, and by the way his face drops, I know he forgot. “Stay here and man the desk while I shower.”
I don’t give him a chance to respond before heading toward the back door. Breakfast is being held in the main room downstairs, so I sneak out before anyone can stop and talk to me.
Luckily, the house Jackson and I share is within walking distance from the B&B, so once I make it outside, I jog home, kick off my shoes, and shed the rest of my clothes as soon as I step into the mudroom.
Once I’ve showered and dressed, I grab Jackson, put my assistant manager in charge for the rest of the day, and then we head out.
Alex, our youngest brother, is getting married soon, and Mama has been all over our asses about making sure everything is ready. She knows Jackson’s a loose cannon, so she puts me in charge of making sure he gets his s**t done. We might be identical in looks—dark brown that turns dirty blond during the summer as well as our trimmed facial hair—even down to the same tattoos we got when we turned eighteen. But our personalities have never matched. In fact, if we didn’t have the same face and body build, I’d swear he was adopted.
“This has to be a joke.” Jackson groans as soon as he walks out of the dressing room wearing a fitted black tux with a cowboy hat. “I look like a tool.”
“You are.” I snort, shaking my head. Evan, our oldest brother, and Alex are still in their dressing rooms, but as soon as they come out, I look at the four of us and chuckle. Evan has long, dark blond hair that he normally pulls back when he’s working in the ER, and Alex is the only one who’s a true blond and has it cut shorter than any of us. We’ve called him the “pretty boy” ever since he got drunk and pierced his damn ears. You’d think by now Alex would’ve taken them out, but he enjoys toying with our mother who absolutely hates them. His fiancée, however, must not mind them too much.
“We look like—” I continue.
“A bunch of classy hillbillies,” Evan finishes for me, laughing at all of our expense. “I, on the other hand, just look classy.” He smirks like an arrogant bastard. Out of all of us, Evan is the only one who’s had to dress like this in any real capacity. Hell, he probably has a few tuxedos and suits in his closet.
“How are we doing over here?” a sweet voice asks from behind, and when I look over my shoulder, I see a gorgeous woman with dark brown hair—so dark it’s almost black—pulled to the side in a long braid. She’s wearing a tight pencil skirt with a ruffled shirt, and her piercing green eyes watch me as I study every inch of her. Her tan legs stop my gaze as an obnoxious cough pulls my attention away. Looking up, I see Alex glaring at me.
I shrug unapologetically for noticeably checking out his wedding consultant. He told me about her before but forgot to mention how hot she is.
“You have anything less…dorky?” Jackson asks, breaking the tension. Evan shakes his head, unamused, but Alex ignores him completely.
“I think y’all look great,” she states, folding her arms in front of her. “Could lose the attitude, though.” She flashes a smug grin, and I’m about ready to bow at her feet for putting Jackson in his place. Not many women do that—well, except for his childhood crush, Kiera.
“Ooh, you’re feisty. What’s your name, darlin’?” Jackson activates his smooth-talking voice, but it’s not working on her, and that absolutely thrills me.
“Stop harassing her,” I interject, stepping in to push Jackson back before he starts humping her leg.
“Don’t worry ’bout me,” she reassures. “He’s not the first cowboy to waltz in here thinking he’s a real-life John Wayne.” She smirks, keeping her gaze on me. “I’m Bailey.”
When she holds out her hand, I take it and introduce myself along with Jackson, so she doesn’t fall for his switch-trick. He likes faking people out, which was funny when we were kids, but now that we’re in our early thirties, it’s just annoying.
“I’m the hot twin, clearly.” Jackson winks, holding out his hand and purposely interrupting our conversation.
“Is that so?” she asks, reluctantly taking his hand in hers. “How do ya figure?”
Evan and Alex snicker as they stand by watching Jackson being shot down, something he’s apparently not used to.
“Well, we may look identical in obvious ways, but, darlin’, I’d be willing to show you in not-so-obvious ways later tonight.” He winks at her again. Bailey raises her eyebrows, obviously not taking the bait, but it’s still hilarious to watch the train wreck.
“As tempting as that offer sounds, I’m gonna have to pass. I have a strict no-dating-clients rule.” She shrugs and purses her lips as if she’s really disappointed.
“No worries, sweetheart. I’m not your client. I’m your client’s groomsman so—”
“So take the hint,” I blurt, setting my jaw tight as I slap a hand on his shoulder and push him toward Evan and Alex. “Go change so we can go.”
“Leave me your number!” Jackson shouts as Evan drags him back to the changing room.
Fortunately, Bailey is laughing and shaking her head instead of scowling like she ought to be. At least she has a good sense of humor.
“We usually leave him at home, but we have to take him out once a month for fresh air and socialization,” I quip, smiling when I get a loud belly laugh out of her.
“You’re funny.” She steps closer, and our gazes lock on each other. “The tux looks great on you.” She blinks when she realizes we’re not alone. “All of you,” she adds quickly.
The rest of the groomsmen show up shortly after and Bailey gets them all fitted. We chat throughout the appointment, and when I tell her I manage the Circle B Bed & Breakfast, she squeals in excitement.
“Oh my gosh, I’ve wanted to check that place out for forever!”
“Yeah?” I smile. “You should come out, and I’ll personally give you a tour of the ranch.”
Jackson snorts, and I curse when I realize he’s behind me. “I bet you will.”
“Shut up,” I snap at him. “I’d love to take you out on the horse trail and show you around.” I direct my attention back to Bailey who lights up like a Christmas tree.
“Actually…” Jackson interjects, again. “I’m the B&B’s horse trainer. I’d be happy to give you a ride.” He throws his signature wink her way while biting down on his lower lip. I swear if he weren’t my brother, I’d pound into him without thinking twice. My hands ball into fists, but I force myself to calm down. Giving Jackson a black eye before Alex’s wedding would make my life a living hell, regardless if it’s deserved or not.
“Okay, Jackson,” Evan intervenes just in time, smacking a hand on his shoulder and squeezing. “Let’s go change before John punches in your face.”
Bailey chuckles again, and the sweet sound brings my attention back to her. Once the room clears, and it’s just the two of us, I offer her my number.
“Sure, I’d love that! I’ve never been horseback riding if you can believe it.”
I smile, nodding. “Actually, I can. You grew up in the city?” I arch my brow.
“Sure did,” she confirms my suspicions. “Is it that obvious?” She bites on her lower lip.
“Well…” I lower my gaze down her body and purposely check her out without apology. “I can usually tell. But don’t worry, I’ll choose a good horse for ya.” I wink, and she blushes, which is adorable against her tanned skin.
A week later, Bailey calls me, and when I invite her over, horseback riding isn’t the only thing I plan to teach her. The moment I return the horses to their stalls, her hands and lips are all over me. I pin her up against the wall and claim her mouth, feeling how turned on she is when she rubs her hard n*****s against my chest. Moaning, I slip my hand into her panties, and my suspicions are confirmed—she’s so goddamn wet and aroused.
I take Bailey to my house where she strips off her clothes and allows me to memorize every inch of her sweet body. She scrapes her nails along my hard stomach and screams my name as I push her ankles up to her shoulders and bring her to an ecstasy she’ll never forget.
The following morning, Jackson is all over my a*s after I walk Bailey to her car and we exchange goodbyes. He’s pissed I kept him up all night, but I’m not one bit sorry because he puts me through the same s**t on a weekly basis. But I know he’s mostly pissed that Bailey was interested in me and not him. His poor little ego is bruised.
“I’m gonna be useless today, thanks to you,” he huffs, slamming cupboard doors as he searches for something in the kitchen.
I snort, smirking. “Sounds like every day, so I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”
“f**k off, asshole. You don’t even give lessons, but all of a sudden, you’re a Cowboy Smooth-Talker.”
I roll my eyes at his stupid nickname. “Perks of working on the ranch, brother.” I pat his shoulder. “Chicks dig guys who don’t try so hard.”
He jerks his shoulder, pushing my hand off him. “Says the guy who met his hookup at a bridal shop.” Jackson chuckles.
I shrug, not letting his sour attitude bring down my mood. “Still ended up in my bed, so that’s all that matters,” I taunt. “Better invest in some earplugs. I might invite her over for round two later,” I call out as I walk down the hallway. “Unless listening is your thing!”
“f**k off!” is the last thing I hear him shout before I hop in the shower and start my day on a damn good note.
- Writer
